Monday Motivation ~ First do no harm, and second to try to do good

"I think we all, as parents, readers, writers, teachers, editors, whatever, have a responsibility to first do no harm, and second to try to do good. But people are so different, and their needs are so different, that what is good for one is not good for another. Doesn't mean that because it's not good for one it should be done away with. But rather, that almost everything is for somebody, and nothing is for everyone. And we have the responsibility to connect with our kids so they can make the right decisions for themselves. And so we can help them understand what they run across.

It also means that we as parents have the right and responsibility to help guide our children in what they are exposed to. And how they understand it. But we must also allow others the same right, even if their choices differ from ours. Because their children differ from ours." Rick Walton

Trying to increase my daily word count and not hate my summertime writing

I'm struggling with my writing right now and I'm going to blame it on the summer. I love having my kids home! I love our backyard sleepovers and movie marathons and barbecues. It's just hard to find motivation when other things are going on. or MAYBE I hate the ending of the book and need to rewrite it but I'm not sure how so that probably means I need to go back and see where the story took a wrong turn and then I need to revise it or take out the offending chapters. pantpantpant. UGH.


I just read a book about increasing word count that I really enjoyed. I mostly read the first part and skimmed the second (it dealt with plotting a novel but I'm not ready to write a new story yet).

2K to 10K: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love by Rachel Aaron

These are the three ideas I took away from the book:

1. Everyday before you open the word doc of your story, take 5 minutes to write out what you're going to write for the day.

*This is actually what I decided to start doing before I read this book.

2. After writing your 5 minutes, see how you feel. If you're excited about the scene, write it! If you're not, rework it until you are excited. No more boring scenes in your story.

*I can get behind this idea, obviously! Here's to trying something new.

3. Everyday keep a record of your writing. Make a note of the time you start, time you stop, how many words and where you wrote. The author keeps these stats in excel and tracks when her most productive times and places for word count is.

*I love this idea. I also found an app that helps a little bit with that too. It's called writeometer.

I'm hoping these ideas help me get some words written this summer. I get hangry (what would a cross between not writing and frustrated be??) when I haven't written for a few days. I need to write something everyday, even a blog post helps.


What do you do to get excited about writing? Or finding the time? Is your writing schedule different in the summer vs. during school?

Janitors 5: Heroes of the Dustbin by Tyler Whitesieds BLOG TOUR AND GIVEAWAY!

The Janitors series has been a fun one for my son. It's clever, funny and empowering. Plus a great read aloud book! 

Blog Tour Schedule

Janitors 5: Heroes of the Dustbin by Tyler Whitesides Spencer knew that from the moment the Founding Witches had returned, the Rebel Janitors had begun disappearing. So many schools were defenseless now, the students' minds rotting from Toxite breath while the janitors vanished without a trace. Then it became personal. Although their enemies are powerful, their allies few, Spencer and his team of Rebels are not giving up! But what chance do a handful of kids and one rescued janitor have against the combined evil of the Founding Witches and the Sweepers? Can the Rebels close the source of all Glop and stop the Toxites once and for all-or is the world doomed to fall under the control of the sinister Bureau of Educational Maintenance? This explosive series finale is a gripping ride through conflicted loyalties and daring escapes, unexpected alliances and betrayals, and an ending you will never forget!

Amazon * Deseret Book

Author Tyler Whitesides TYLER WHITESIDES worked as a janitor at a middle school while attending college. It was there he discovered the many secrets and mysteries that can be hidden in a dusty school. Tyler graduated from Utah State University with a degree in music. He enjoys fly fishing in the mountains, cooking, and vacuuming. Tyler and his wife, Connie, live in beautiful northern Utah.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

    $25 Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon eGift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 9/25/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com eGift Card or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.



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CLICKOLOGIE ~ Elevating Your Photography From Beginner To Pro by Erin Summerill

Clickologie: Elevating Your Photography from Beginner to Pro by Erin Summerill
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I picked up this book and looked at all the pictures first, then started at the beginning to read the words. I couldn't stop reading. I don't remember the last time I wanted to read an instructional book from cover to cover. Erin hooked me from the very beginning. How could I put down this book with a definition like this:

Clickologie
2. The study of capturing life in photographic images that are so beautiful they could make the burliest grown man cry.

Excellent and FUN book about photography from the fundamentals to pro. Filled with vivid pictures, clear instructions and clever words, this book will teach anyone about shooting, posing and becoming the photographer they want to be.

I highly recommend this book if you want to take your photography to the next level.

View all my reviews

Playlist for my WIP Stars- Dead Hearts (Official video)

Here is a song Julie Daines thought fit will with my book (and I have to agree):





"Dead Hearts"

Tell me everything that happened
Tell me everything you saw
They had lights inside their eyes
They had lights inside their eyes

Did you see the closing window?
Did you hear the slamming door?
They moved forward, my heart died
They moved forward, my heart died

Please, please tell me what they look like
Did they seem afraid of you?
They were kids that I once knew
They were kids that I once knew

[Chorus]
I could say it, but you won't believe me
You say you do, but you don't deceive me
It's hard to know they're out there
It's hard to know that you still care
I could say it but you wont believe me
You say you do but you don't deceive me
Dead hearts are everywhere
Dead hearts are everywhere

Did you touch them, did you hold them?
Did they follow you to town?
They make me feel I'm falling down
They make me feel I'm falling down

Was there one you saw too clearly?
Did they seem too real to you?
They were kids that I once knew
They were kids that I once knew

[Chorus x2]

They were kids that I once knew
They were kids that I once knew
Now they're all dead hearts to you
Now they're all dead hearts to you

They were kids that I once knew
They were kids that I once knew
Now they're all dead hearts to you

The Junction of Sunshine and Lucky by Holly Schindler BLOG TOUR and GIVEAWAY!

What is the elevator pitch of your newest book?

“Beasts of the Southern Wild” meets Because of Winn Dixie in this inspiring story of a young girl who finds her “shine,” one recycled sculpture at a time.

The longer synopsis:

August “Auggie” Jones lives with her Grandpa Gus, a trash hauler, in a poor part of town. So when her wealthy classmate’s father starts the House Beautification Committee, it’s homes like Auggie’s that are deemed “in violation.” Auggie is determined to prove that she is not as run-down as the outside of her house might suggest. Using the kind of items Gus usually hauls to the scrap heap, a broken toaster becomes a flower; church windows turn into a rainbow walkway; and an old car gets new life as spinning whirligigs. What starts out as a home renovation project becomes much more as Auggie and her grandpa discover a talent they never knew they had—and redefine a whole town’s perception of beauty, one recycled sculpture at a time. Auggie’s talent for creating found art will remind readers that one girl’s trash really is another girl’s treasure.

Do you eat or listen to music while writing?

I’m never without coffee as I write.  I ALWAYS have a cup nearby—on my desk or reheating in the microwave. 

If I’m running through a final draft or doing something nitpicky like copyediting, I do much better with relative silence—I like to get in my office, away from any distracting noises.  But if I’m drafting, I like to sit on the couch in the midst of household comings and goings, or even in front of the TV.  (Favorite shows to write to are the news, a movie (I’m a serious old movie buff), or even classic TV shows I loved as a girl.  Something about chatter can fuel me as I draft.

Music’s tougher.  I’m getting better about listening to music while I work.  I’m a music junkie, though—I can often get so wrapped up in what I’m listening to, it can be a real distraction.  Sometimes, if I’m not careful, I can even start typing lyrics!

What is your favorite food?

Donuts.  Love me some jellies.  And Mexican food.

Do you have pets?

I’ve always had pets.  Growing up, I had two cats and a Maltese I loved desperately.  Right now, I’ve got a completely spoiled Pekingese, Jake.  He’s also always nearby when I’m writing—either at my feet while I’m in my office or next to me on the couch, snoring while I type away.

What’s your favorite season?

I used to really love summer.  But the past few years, our summers here in Missouri have been full of 110-degree days.  That’s just too much!  I’d have to say that I’m a spring girl…tulips are my favorite flower, and I’ve always loved hats—bring on the Easter bonnets!  (If only we wore fascinators in the States…)

What was the book that turned you into a reader?

THE PAIN AND THE GREAT ONE by Judy Blume.  I’m a child of the ‘80s, so I grew up on Blume’s books—I started out with picture books like THE PAIN and graduated to chapter books, then teen novels.  THE PAIN just seemed so perfect when I first read it—I have a brother who’s a year younger than me, and it was the first time in my life when I absolutely identified with a book; the first time I felt as though a book was telling my story.  Once you have that feeling—like somebody else gets it—you’re hooked for the rest of your life…

Are you a night owl or early bird?

I don’t really like to work at night.  I prefer to get up and get to it.  I like to give full attention to my writing.  If I wait until late in the day, I’m not as fresh, and I’m usually thinking about things that happened earlier that day.  Those thoughts kind of compete with my words…

What do you never leave home without?

My dog.  My Kindle.  Something to write bursts of ideas on. 

What piece of advice would you give aspiring writers?

NEVER GIVE UP.  Never, never, never, never.  Not on your first deal, not on a book.  I’ve never had a book that was published quickly or easily.  Though I published short fiction, poetry, and literary critique early on, it took seven and half years of full-time effort to land my first book deal.  THE JUNCTION OF SUNSHINE AND LUCKY actually started out as a picture book back in ’05.  But editors all thought the concept of folk art was too advanced for picture book readers.  So I reinvented it as a middle grade novel.  There’s never a dead-end with a project.  I honestly believe that.

What are your writing goals for 2014?

I’ve got a ton of work to get done.  I have seven books (that are either outlined or drafted) to whip into shape.  I’ll also be making some announcements regarding my next YA, FERAL, which will release with HarperCollins soon!  Keep up with the latest by following along at my author blog: hollyschindler.blogspot.com.  You can also find the latest at my author site: hollyschindler.com.  

Reviews:

"...a heartwarming and uplifting story...[that] shines...with vibrant themes of community, self-empowerment and artistic vision delivered with a satisfying verve." – Kirkus Reviews

"Axioms like 'One man's trash is another man's treasure' and 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder' come gracefully to life in Schindler's tale about the value of hard work and the power of community…Auggie's enthusiasm and unbridled creativity are infectious, and likeminded readers will envy her creative partnership with [her grandfather] Gus." – Publishers Weekly

Links:

Twitter: @holly_schindler

Facebook: facebook.com/HollySchindlerAuthor

Site for young readers: Holly Schindler’s Middles - hollyschindlermiddles.weebly.com. 
I’m especially excited about this site.  I adored getting to interact with the YA readership online—usually through Twitter or FB.  But I had to create a site where I could interact with the MG readership.  I’m devoting a page on the site to reviews from young readers themselves!  Be sure to send your young reader’s review through the Contact Me page.

Group Author Blogs: YA Outside the Lines (yaoutsidethelines.blogspot.com) for YA authors and Smack Dab in the Middle (smack-dab-in-the-middle.blogspot.com) for MG authors.

THE JUNCTION OF SUNSHINE AND LUCKY Trailer:

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